Tenders Are Invited For Consultancy Communication, Advocacy And Narrative Influence Training

Tenders are invited for Consultancy Communication, Advocacy and Narrative Influence Training Service Location: Jerusalem Short Term Consultancy Communication, Advocacy and Narrative Influence Training 1. Context Over the past three years, the situation in Israel and Palestine has significantly deteriorated, with a marked escalation in violence, displacement, and humanitarian needs. Large-scale hostilities resumed in October 2023, resulting in civilian harm and significant destruction. Humanitarian access remains limited, and the space for civil society activity has narrowed in both contexts. Despite these challenges, Israeli and Palestinian organizations committed to peace and justice continue their work on the ground under growing political, administrative, and financial pressures. In this context, the Empowering Palestinian and Israeli Civil Society and Media project led by Expertise France, in partnership with Canal France International (CFI) and with support from the European Union (EU), aims at strengthening the role of civil society and media. The project responds to the need for rapid response approaches that go beyond traditional models, which have often failed to address structural inequalities and entrenched power asymmetries. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to creating a more conducive environment for sustainable coexistence by strengthening Israeli and Palestinian civil societies and supporting independent media in advancing dialogue, mutual understanding and collaboration. 2. About Expertise France Expertise France ( EF) is the French international development cooperation agency, created in 2015. Expertise France is part of the Agence Française de Development Group (France Agency for Development, AFD) since 2022. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. EFs Stabilization and Resilience Unit has been implementing programmes in crisis and conflict settings, positioning itself as a leading organization in supporting the recovery, stabilization, and resilience of vulnerable populations in fragile contexts. 3. The Project Expertise France, with support from the European Unions Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), is implementing 18-month project aimed at empowering Civil Society and Media to foster community resilience and social cohesion. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to creating a more conducive environment for sustainable peacebuilding by strengthening Israeli and Palestinian civil societies and supporting independent media in advancing dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration. The project is structured around two specific objectives that focus on reducing immediate tensions and fostering gradual steps towards peaceful coexistence between communities in Israel and the oPT: Specific-objective 1 (SO1): To sustain and amplify the voices and actions of Israeli and Palestinian civil society organizations (CSOs) including community leaders, youth, and women through initiatives that promote dialogue, reduce tensions, and foster mutual understanding within their communities and amongst different communities. Specific-objective 2 (SO2): To support independent media actors in fostering a more pluralistic and informed public debate, combating disinformation, and facilitating collaboration with civil society organizations to enhance peacebuilding efforts. The project targets primarily the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) and Israel, and may be expanded to Gaza depending on the context and feasibility. 4. Rationale for Communication, Advocacy and Narrative Influence Training Civil society organizations operating in conflict-affected contexts face an acute challenge: the ability to communicate effectively, influence policy, and shape public narratives is as essential to their impact as their programmatic work. In the Israeli Palestinian context, where information environments are deeply contested, public trust is fragile, and digital spaces are often polarized, the capacity of CSOs to communicate strategically and ethically is critical to their credibility and reach. Many partner organizations under this programme operate with limited strategic communication capacity, rely on ad hoc messaging approaches, and have insufficient tools for policy advocacy or digital engagement. This limits their ability to amplify peacebuilding narratives, influence decision-makers, and engage their communities in meaningful civic dialogue. Targeted training in communication, advocacy, and narrative influence will equip CSO staff and leadership with the skills, frameworks, and practical tools they need to become more effective communicators and advocates. This consultancy directly supports Specific Objective 1 of the programme, strengthening the voice and visibility of civil society actors engaged in peacebuilding. 5. Objective of the Consultancy Purpose and Scope The Communication, Advocacy and Narrative Influence Consultant will design and deliver a targeted training and capacity building programme for partner CSOs supported under the project. The consultancy is focused exclusively on training delivery equipping both CSO staff and leadership with actionable skills across four thematic modules: Strategic communication Policy advocacy Ethical storytelling Civic and digital dialogue Training will be tailored to the dual audience of CSO staff (communications and programme teams) and leadership (directors and board members), and will be adapted to the conflict- sensitive and politically complex operating environment in Israel and the oPt. Delivery format in-person, online, or hybrid will be determined in coordination with the Expertise France programme team based on context and participant needs. Specific Objectives The consultancy aims to: Provide and adapt a comprehensive, context-sensitive training programme across the four thematic modules of communication, advocacy, and narrative influence; Deliver training sessions to CSO staff, using participatory and learning methodologies; Build the skills and confidence of partner organizations to independently develop and implement strategic communication and advocacy initiatives; Provide Expertise France with a consolidated training completion report and recommendations for follow-up support. 6. Thematic Scope of the Training Module 1 Strategic Communication This module will build the capacity of CSO staff and leadership to develop and implement coherent, audience-centred communication strategies. Key topics include: Developing a strategic communication plan: goals, audiences, messages, and channels Stakeholder and audience mapping: identifying, segmenting, and prioritizing target audiences Message development and framing: crafting clear, compelling, and consistent messages Choosing the right communication channels and formats for different audiences and contexts Monitoring and adapting communication strategies in rapidly changing environments Module 2 Policy Advocacy This module will equip CSO leadership and senior staff with the frameworks and tools to engage effectively in policy advocacy processes. Key topics include: Understanding policy environments and decision-making processes in conflict- affected contexts Developing an advocacy strategy: goals, targets, tactics, and coalitions Evidence-based advocacy: using data, research, and community voices to support policy positions Engaging decision-makers and duty-bearers: techniques for dialogue, lobbying, and influencing Managing risks and sensitivities in advocacy within politically constrained environments Module 3 Ethical Storytelling This module will build the capacity of CSO communications staff and programme teams to develop and share stories that are compelling, accurate, and ethically grounded. Key topics include: Principles of ethical storytelling: dignity, consent, accuracy, and do-no-harm Narrative development: identifying and structuring stories that reflect community voices and peacebuilding values Avoiding harmful narratives: recognizing and countering dehumanizing or divisive framing Working with communities to co-produce stories: participation, representation, and accountability Using visual and multimedia storytelling responsibly in conflict-affected contexts Module 4 Civic and Digital Dialogue This module will equip CSO staff and leadership with the skills to engage constructively in civic and digital spaces, fostering dialogue and countering polarization. Key topics include: Understanding digital information ecosystems: social media dynamics, algorithms, and online public discourse Designing and facilitating effective civic dialogue: online and in-person formats Countering disinformation and hate speech: tools, techniques, and ethical considerations Digital safety and security for civil society actors operating in conflict-affected contexts Building and managing online communities for constructive civic engagement 7. Deliverables Deliverable 1 Inception Note and Training Design Framework Objective: Establish a shared understanding of the assignment scope, training approach, and delivery plan. Content: Consultants interpretation of the assignment and proposed training methodology Consolidated overview of training priorities and audience differentiation (staff vs. leadership) across the four modules Proposed schedule of training sessions Proposed delivery format and facilitation approach (in-person, online, or hybrid) Format: PDF/Word Deliverable 2 Training Curricula and Session Plans Objective: Provide fully developed, ready-to-delivery training content for each of the four thematic modules. Content: Tra Tender Link : https://www.jobs.ps/en/tenders/06a82e89c18f04-15794.html